Observations from Iraq, Iran, Israel, the Arab world and beyond

More than 60 Syrian protesters were killed Friday in the bloodiest demonstrations of the last couple of months.

In response, demonstrators have grown increasingly defiant and dissatisfied with reforms promised by President Bashar Assad.

In the video above, gunshots are heard in the city of Homs amid calls of, "The people want the toppling of regime."

In the video below, hundreds of protesters flood the streets of the southwestern city of Dara with banners that read, "We want the murderers of our martyrs to be tried publicly."

Eyewitnesses claimed that security officials have ravaged the streets of suburban Damascus, using live ammunition against peaceful protesters. Demonstrators from the cities of Barza and Douma have reported hearing incessant gunfire and desperate cries.

Brutal force has not discouraged demonstrators from making bold demands. In the video below, protesters march through Homs yelling "We are not members of the Muslim Brotherhood, neither are we Salafists. Our demand is freedom."